Recently, inaccurate information has been shared publicly regarding the status of Runaway Bay’s wastewater system and related infrastructure efforts.  To ensure residents have accurate and factual information, the City of Runaway Bay would like to provide clarification directly from a qualified professional who is actively involved in overseeing these operations.   The following statement is from Roddy Boston, who serves as Deputy Director of Public Works for the City of Decatur and has been assisting the City with wastewater and collection system operations.  He offers firsthand insight into the current condition of the system, ongoing evaluations, and next steps:       Good afternoon, Runaway Bay!   As a member of the current public works task force, I wanted to take a minute and thank each and every one of you who has reached out to get clarification of the misinformation that has been circulating about the state of the collection system and your wastewater treatment plant.   As I’ve expressed to many of you, the misinformation has come from people who have very limited knowledge of how a system of this size, or any size, is supposed to work.    Your system, while not perfect, is a good, solid system. But it does have issues that are being addressed. Those issues are currently being looked over by Freese and Nichols Engineering. This firm is nationwide and specializes in Water and Wastewater systems, helping towns and cities address issues that can plague a system. We are lucky to have them as a partner in ensuring that your system is reviewed and the problem areas addressed.   As for the few of you who don’t know me, I have been assisting your city for the last three years, overseeing the wastewater and collection operations. I have lived near Boyd since 1986 and graduated from Boyd ISD. I have been a customer of Walnut Creek SUD and have used and played in the water from Lake Bridgeport for years. I have raised a family and now have grandchildren who consume and play in the same water. I definitely have “skin in the game”.   I have an “A” Wastewater Treatment License, which allows me to work and operate any wastewater treatment plant and/or collection system in the state of Texas. I currently have over 365 verifiable water/wastewater education hours and am subject to continuous education to keep my license valid. This includes familiarity and a working knowledge of TAC Chapter 217, which details the rules of Wastewater System design. It has been my goal to produce the cleanest possible wastewater effluent to reintroduce into the lake.    Mayor White invited me to help with your system in early 2023, when your previous operator retired. Since then, the assembled team of operators and public works utility crew, with help and direction from the TCEQ and me, has been assisting the city in surveying and grading your system so that the problems can be addressed properly and professionally.    Although your system isn’t considered a “large” system, we have taken our time and ensured we have covered the most important parts while striving to keep the system in working order.   Over the next few months, you may see crews at manholes, lift stations, or around the wastewater treatment plant. Our plan is to perform the work in stages due to time and operational constraints. We will be utilizing new and groundbreaking technology that is very promising and has shown much success, but much of the work will depend on the work done prior to the next stage.    I hope to maintain my relationship with the city for many years to come and look forward to continuing to provide accurate information about your system. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at any time. You may send me a message through this app or leave a message for me at City Hall.    Roddy Boston     Residents with questions are encouraged to contact City Hall.

Many residents have questions about zoning, deed restrictions, and what is legally possible regarding the Golf Course. I want to share the Planning & Zoning Commission’s summary of the information presented during their January 6 work session, providing clarity about the legal framework that currently exists.   P&Z Summary   A comprehensive legal and planning review confirms that the Runaway Bay Golf Course is subject to long-standing deed restrictions that significantly limit its ability to be rezoned for non-golf uses.   The property is governed by a 1966 subdivision-wide Declaration of Restrictions that designates the land for recreational and scenic purposes, including golf. These restrictions are legally binding, recorded in Wise County deed records, and reinforced by later amendments and lease assignments.   In addition, the property falls within a Planned Community District (P.C.D.), which centralizes development approval authority and requires comprehensive architectural and site plan approval for any change in use. This structure prevents piecemeal redevelopment and creates substantial procedural barriers to rezoning.   The deeds also contain strong enforcement provisions, including potential reversion of title, injunctive relief, and removal of non-conforming improvements if restrictions are violated. Proceeding without first resolving these restrictions would expose both the property owner and the City to significant legal risk.   Further complicating redevelopment are Charter Member protections established in a 1995 quitclaim deed and lease assignment. These protections limit assessments and fees and materially affect the financial feasibility of repurposing the land.   While Texas law allows municipalities to rezone property, the review concludes that any effort to approve mixed-use or non-golf development would first require multiple prerequisite actions, including formally amending or releasing deed restrictions, resolving Charter Member rights, and re-platting the property. Rezoning without these steps would carry substantial legal exposure.   In summary, the Runaway Bay Golf Course is not a blank-slate redevelopment opportunity. Existing deed restrictions create significant legal and practical barriers that must be resolved before any non-golf rezoning could responsibly be considered.   Conclusion   I believe it’s important residents are given clear, factual information so questions can be evaluated based on what the law allows - not speculation or assumptions. The City remains committed to due process and protecting the long-term interests of Runaway Bay.   Respectfully, Mayor Herman White City of Runaway Bay

Recent media coverage has caused understandable concern regarding a rezoning request from the former RB Golf Club. I want to be very clear: the Runaway Bay City Council is unanimously opposed to the rezoning proposal as presented by the property owners.   Under Texas law, the City cannot legally prevent a property owner from submitting a rezoning application, nor can we refuse to place it into the required public process. The word “consider” reflects a legal obligation - not support, endorsement, or likelihood of approval.   To clarify: ·       The City Council has unanimously rejected the reasoning behind this proposal. ·       No development plan has been approved. ·       Acceptance of an application does not mean it will pass.   City Council retains full authority to deny the rezoning following the required public hearings, and Council members have been clear and consistent in their opposition.   We understand residents’ concerns and remain committed to transparency, community input, and protecting the character of Runaway Bay. Official updates will be shared as required by law.   -        Mayor Herman White City of Runaway Bay

I would like to provide accurate information regarding recent media coverage of a federal fraud investigation in North Texas that referenced activity within our city.   Regional Case Overview During the investigation, the City was not privy to all details, as the matter was handled at the federal level  Now that the defendant has pleaded guilty to all charges, additional information related to the case may be disclosed  The investigation identified approximately $5 million in total losses More than 40 victims were affected The fraudulent activity spanned seven counties across North Texas   These figures above reflect the regional investigation, not activity specific to Runaway Bay.   What occurred in Runaway Bay A total of 5 residential properties (3 of them retaining most of the violations) in Runaway Bay were associated with the individual involved. These properties involved two builders constructing speculative homes for resale. No individual Runaway Bay homeowners were defrauded in the manner described elsewhere in the investigation. The affected builders ultimately completed the homes and mitigated their financial losses.   City enforcement and cooperation During construction activity, Runaway Bay Code Enforcement issued 424 citations related to violations of City ordinances. For example, construction debris and unsafe working conditions, such as trash and materirals not being secured. Because the violations were not corrected in a timely manner, citations continued to be issued on a daily basis, demonstrating active and ongoing enforcement. City staff and law enforcement worked cooperatively with state and federal investigators when information and documentation were requested. Because this was an active federal investigation, the City was limited in what could be publicly discussed until the defendant formally pleaded guilty, which is why media coverage occurred only recently.   Commendation of investigative efforts   I would like to recognize Investigator Brian Brennan, Euless Police Officer with the Crimes Task Force, assigned through the U.S. Secret Service, for his professionalism throughout this investigation. Investigator Brennan praised the outstanding cooperation, accommodation and responsiveness of Runaway Bay’s Police Department, Judge Karen Green, and City leadership. It's my commitment to always work with County, State and Federal agents to help prevent financial crimes against our citizens. This case reflects a team effort across multiple agencies, and I am proud of the role Runaway Bay personnel played in protecting public safety and supporting a successful federal prosecution. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available. Herman White City of Runaway Bay

As another year comes to a close, we reflect on the infrastructure work completed in 2025 and share what lies ahead for Runaway Bay in 2026. This past year largely focused on foundational work to the City’s water and sewer systems. Much of it behind the scenes and not always visible, but necessary to keeping Runaway Bay safe, compliant, and well-maintained for years to come.   Infrastructure Planning & Oversight Water and sewer infrastructure remained a priority for safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance Water tower maintenance, including full restoration of the City’s iconic “golf ball” water tower Continued progress on water and wastewater system improvements, including preparatory work on lift stations and water lines Approved task authorizations with Freese and Nichols for upgrades to the Wastewater Treatment Plant Chlorine Building, the Jim Walters Lift Station, and the Port O’ Call South Lift Station   Oncor Collaboration Oncor invested approximately $5 million in Runaway Bay as part of its initiative to improve electrical systems in smaller communities Construction of a new substation to improve reliability Continued upgrades to poles, transformers, automated equipment, and system hardening measures for wildfire mitigation and outage reduction   Public Works Completed a wide range of work orders in addition to daily maintenance responsibilities The City invested $18,894.96 in road repairs and materials, including pothole repairs and asphalt work – 1 mile maintenance on Martins Ln Re-asphalted the entrance to the City on Runaway Bay Drive Provided year-round, around-the-clock response to water line repairs, including street excavation and restoration Responsible Financial Planning The City secured a $2 million line of credit along with state and federal grant funding to support infrastructure improvements EPA: $1.75 million U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: $6.75 million These grants help offset project costs, reducing the financial burden on taxpayers, while allowing critical work to move forward     2026: Looking Ahead   As we look toward 2026, the focus remains simple: maintain what we have, complete projects already underway, and plan responsibly for the future. Priorities include: Continued work on water and wastewater infrastructure Completing engineering design with Freese and Nichols Determining infrastructure upgrade priorities based on the outcomes of engineering reports, ensuring system capacity keeps pace with current and future needs Preparing for construction and phased infrastructure work using finalized design plans Continued collaboration with Oncor on electrical upgrades, including transitioning systems to three-phase power and improving maintenance procedures Addressing road damage on Jim Walters in coordination with County and consulting engineers Ongoing road maintenance and repairs as needed Monitoring a federal funded grant for upcoming infrastructure projects in coordination with Congressman Ronny Jackson’s office   Thank you to everyone who stayed engaged throughout 2025 by asking questions, attending meetings, and volunteering. Your involvement helps guide the City and strengthens our community.   Here’s to a peaceful and productive new year in Runaway Bay!

We’re pleased to share that the City of Runaway Bay now has an official YouTube channel where residents can easily access recorded City Council meetings and other important video updates. You’ll be able to: ✔ watch recent Council meetings ✔ find previous recordings ✔ stay updated when new videos are added Our most recent December City Coucil Meeting and 2 other recorded meetings are now available to view at your convenience. 📺 Visit our YouTube Channel and subscribe if you’d like to be notified when new videos are posted: Whether you prefer reading the City Council recap or watching the full session, the choice is yours and everything is now in one convenient place. Thanks for staying connected with what’s happening in Runaway Bay!

Regular Session – December 16, 2025 1. Public Forum Kimberley Chandler expressed concerns about limited online access to City Council meetings and encouraged the City to explore options for publishing meetings online. Kaye Fite thanked the Council for its detailed review of the Cocanougher golf course development proposal. She raised concerns about long-term impacts on the City’s water supply, potential effects on other construction projects, and suggested an impact analysis addressing water, infrastructure, traffic, and roads. 2. Consent Items Approve Minutes from the November 18, 2025 Regular Session – Approved 3. Consideration and Action Items   A. Accounts Payable (November 30, 2025) – Approved   B. November 2025 Financial Report – Approved   C. Proposed Project Agreement with Freese and Nichols, Inc. – Approved   City Council approved a task authorization agreement with Freese and Nichols, Inc., signed by Mayor Herman White, to complete engineering design improvements for key components of the City’s wastewater system.   This phase supports future upgrades to the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) Chlorine Building, the Jim Walters Lift Station, and the Port O’Call South Lift Station. The work is a critical step in a multi-year infrastructure improvement effort and is required to maintain compliance with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) standards.   Project Details: Authorized Amount: $334,791 (Not-to-Exceed) Design Schedule: Approximately 33 weeks Deliverable: Full Construction Documents Engineering Firm: Freese and Nichols, Inc.   A wastewater project task force has been coordinating this effort and includes Mayor Herman White, Police Chief Steve Reynolds, Council Member Richard Griffin, Roddy Boston, and Barry Schimpf. The task force has overseen technical, regulatory, and financial planning for the project.   Because the project requires coordination with multiple agencies (TCEQ, EPA, Freese and Nichols, and Oncor) the planning process involves phased reviews and approvals. These steps help protect grant funding and ensure long-term financial stability.   Full completion of the wastewater system improvements is not anticipated until 2028. The task force will continue to monitor progress and keep City Council and residents informed. Additional Context on the Wastewater Project Agreement   Mayor White shared that the City began this process years ago through emergency planning to address the most critical wastewater needs and to position the City for state and federal funding.   He explained that Freese and Nichols worked closely with City staff to reduce early planning costs, prepare required documentation, and coordinate with federal agencies. After receiving EPA guidance, engineering teams completed preliminary assessments to identify priority projects.   Mayor White noted that coordination among multiple agencies and delays caused by a federal government shutdown extended the timeline. Despite these challenges, the task force worked diligently to move the project forward.   Council Member Christopher Petty thanked the mayor, City staff and engineering partners for their collaboration. He commended the team for securing funding and prioritizing projects that address the City’s most urgent infrastructure needs. Updates from Mayor and/or Council Members Todd Low reported no updates from Parks and Recreation. He thanked Mayor White for the Christmas Tree Lighting and the Runaway Bay Police Department for public safety during holiday events. He also stated his personal preference that the golf course remain dedicated solely to golf. Richard Griffin reported that the EDC did not meet this month. He shared that the Smoke on the Water committee is discussing improvements for next year’s event and noted better cooperation this year, despite lower attendance. Carolyn Moody shared that the Cemetery Board hosted a successful Wreaths Across America ceremony. Although the Board did not meet this month, plans are underway for butterfly gardens next year. Christopher Petty reported that the Runaway Bay Volunteer Fire Department responded to 21 calls this month (9 fire, 12 medical). He noted the department’s Christmas party and recognized James Gates for his three years of service as Fire Chief. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas. Steve Holt extended a Merry Christmas on behalf of the Greater Runaway Bay Alliance. Steve Reynolds reported that the Police Department issued 125 citations, 87 of which were warnings. He also congratulated Christopher Petty on his new role as Fire Chief of the Runaway Bay Volunteer Fire Department. Mayor White reflected on the Wreaths Across America ceremony and thanked Jackie Ishmael, Barry Schimpf and Cathy Miller for their hard work. He honored and named each veteran laid to rest at Eternal Oaks Cemetery.       Max S. Anderson – U.S. Army (Korea) Jerry C. Ballard – U.S. Army George Ballenger – U.S. Navy (World War II) Clarence “Claude” Clark – U.S. Army Frank M. Corlett – U.S. Army & U.S. Air Force (World War II) Jack Eison – U.S. Air Force William E. Gilbert – U.S. Navy (World War II) Bobby L. Ishmael – U.S. Army Randy Kittrell – U.S. Army Robert Langford – U.S. Army Eugene “Gene” Larrow – U.S. Army (Vietnam) – Bronze Star David E. Lowrance, Jr. – U.S. Army (World War II) Hubert C. McDonald – U.S. Army (World War II) Rosalie McDonald – U.S. Navy (World War II) Gary Miller – U.S. Army William “Bill” Pedigo – U.S. Air Force (Pilot), Colonel (World War II) Kenneth Scherer – U.S. Navy Robert Sivley – U.S. Army Danny Terry – U.S. Navy (Korea) Earl Thomas Tharp – U.S. Navy (Korea) John Alfred Tharp – U.S. Navy & U.S. Army (World War II & Korea) John William Tibbs – U.S. Air Force Thomas Thompson – U.S. Navy Merlin Trehus – U.S. Army (World War II)     🎄 Merry Christmas from the City of Runaway Bay! 🎄

The City of Runaway Bay will hold a General Election for City Council on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Residents interested in voting, learning about the election, or running for office can find key information below. Voter Registration Information For voter registration details, polling locations, and election administration, please visit Wise County Elections. Run for Runaway Bay City Council Residents who meet eligibility requirements and are interested in running for Runaway Bay City Council may apply during the filing period outlined below. Application Deadlines First day to pick up application: Monday, January 5, 2026 First day to file application: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 Last day to file application: Friday, February 13, 2026 Filing Methods Applications may be submitted: In person By mail By fax By email Filing Location / Contact Runaway Bay City Hall 101 Runaway Bay Drive Runaway Bay, TX 76426 Phone: (940) 575-4745 Fax: (940) 575-2563 Email: rabcitysecretary@runawaybaytexas.com Required Election Notices & Forms Internet Posting Requirement – City of Runaway Bay 2026 (Form 1-20) Notice of Deadline to File for May 2, 2026 General Election For questions regarding the election or filing process, please contact the City Secretary’s Office using the information above.

Runaway Bay City Council Regular Session - December 16, 2025 The Runaway Bay City Council will hold a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Norma Coble Civic Center, located at 51 Runaway Bay Drive, Runaway Bay, Texas. Residents are welcome and encouraged to attend. Meeting Details Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2025 Time: 6:00 p.m. Location: Norma Coble Civic Center 51 Runaway Bay Drive, Runaway Bay, TX Agenda Highlights Public Forum Residents who would like to address the City Council during the Public Forum, must arrive 5-10 early and sign up prior to the start of the meeting. Comments are limited to 3 minutes per speaker. Consent Items Consideration and approval of minutes from the November 18, 2025 Regular Session Consideration & Action Items Acceptance of the November 30, 2025 Accounts Payable Report Acceptance of the November 2025 Financial Report Consideration and approval of the Proposed Project Agreement between the City of Runaway Bay and Freese and Nichols Updates from the Mayor and/or City Council Members Informational updates may include community events, acknowledgments, upcoming meetings, and other items of public interest, in accordance with Texas Government Code §551.0415. No action will be taken during this portion of the meeting.

The Christmas season is officially arriving in Runaway Bay! Join us for our Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and an evening of holiday fun for the whole family. 📅 Date: Wednesday, December 3 🕕 Time: 6:00 PM 📍 Location: 1 Stop Enjoy a festive night featuring: 🎶 Caroling by Just Jesus Church 🔥 A cozy fire pit ☕ Hot chocolate to keep everyone warm 🎅 Santa arriving by fire truck Bring your family, friends, and neighbors as we light the Christmas tree together and kick off the season with community cheer, music, and plenty of holiday spirit. We look forward to celebrating with you in Runaway Bay! 💙✨

The holiday season is in full swing, and our community has a wonderful lineup of festive events for families, friends, and neighbors. Join us throughout the week as we celebrate the traditions, lights, and magic of Christmas in Runaway Bay! 🎄 Wednesday, Dec. 3rd - Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at 1Stop Join us at 6:00 PM for one of Runaway Bay’s most heartwarming traditions - the Christmas Tree Lighting at 1Stop. This year’s celebration will feature: ✨ Caroling by Just Jesus Church 🔥 A cozy fire pit ☕ Delicious hot chocolate 🎅 Santa arriving by fire truck It’s the perfect way to welcome December with family and neighbors as we gather together to light the tree and share the spirit of the season. 🚒 ✨ Friday, Dec. 5th - GRBA Lighted Christmas Golf Cart Parade The Greater Runaway Bay Alliance invites you to the annual Lighted Christmas Golf Cart Parade, starting at the Norma Coble Civic Center. Event Schedule: 🏆 Judging begins at 6:45 PM 🚐 Parade starts at 7:00 PM 🍪 Refreshments and awards served inside prior to the parade This dazzling parade travels under the protection of our Police and Fire Departments and brings together beautifully decorated golf carts of all themes and colors. Whether you’re cruising in the parade or cheering from the sidelines, it’s a joyful evening for all ages. Candy will be handed out to the kids - and the kids at heart! 📬🎅 Saturday, Dec. 6th - Letters to Santa Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Location: 612 Runaway Bay Drive Experience the wonder of the holidays as you drive through a beautifully lit Christmas forest on your way to visit Santa! Children are invited to drop off their letters, take a memorable photo with Santa, and enjoy the cozy sounds and sights of the season. This magical evening includes: ☕ Warm hot cocoa 🎶 Holiday music 🎨 A festive craft station where kids can create like Santa’s elves 🎁 A special surprise for every child from Santa himself

Community Highlight: Haylee Olsen   This Thanksgiving, we’re grateful for the residents because you make Runaway Bay feel like home. Today, we want to shine a light on a young resident who absolutely crushed her College Government Module by doing something rare - she reached out, asked questions, and got involved.   Earlier this month, Haylee emailed Mayor Herman White after struggling to find information on how our local government works. Instead of guessing, she took the initiative to learn directly from the source. Mayor White invited her to City Hall, where she sat down with Judge Karen Green, City Secretary Misty Choate, and additional staff for a one-on-one conversation about the inner workings of our little town.   Haylee didn’t stop there. She turned that visit into an A+ assignment (our assessment and recommendation) that highlights our city structure, elected officials, ongoing projects, and issues. She also expressed interest attending a City Council meeting to continue her incredible example of civic engagement!   Below is the email she sent to the mayor and her full government module, shared with her permission:     EMAIL TO THE MAYOR: "Hello, I wanted to write and say thank you again for meeting with me, I really appreciated the time and effort you guys put into answering my questions and helping me complete my assignment. I wanted to send it to you guys so you could see how I incorporated your input and views. Thank you for this opportunity!"     GOVERNMENT MODULE 11 DISCUSSION 13 RESPONSE BY HAYLEE OLSEN: Hi everyone! The town I live in is a small town called Runaway Bay of about 1,500 residents. The type of government we have in our little town is General Law and not home rule. In our city council we have 4 members, Richard Griffin, Todd Low, Steve Holt, and Chris Petty. A mayor, Herman white, Mayor Pro Tem, Carolyn Moody, our Municipal Judge, Karen Green, and a city secretary, Misty Choate. The requirements to serve on our city council are, to be a registered voter in Wise County, be at least 18 years old, must be a resident of Runaway Bay for at least 12 months, and no prior major criminal convictions such as a felony, especially in recent years. I struggled to find information about our city council members and how they are elected, so I contacted our mayor who invited me to City Hall for a meeting with our judge, and other city hall employees, as well as himself. I learned that our city council members will be elected on May 3rd. Terms for our council members are generally 2 years. When I spoke with Judge Green, she had mentioned we use staggered terms. Members have 2-year terms so that there is always someone on our council that knows what is happening with planning and events, and we do not get behind and unable to function properly. During this personal meeting they also invited me to a city council meeting, which I plan to attend soon. I researched our past city council meeting prior to this discussion and during this city council meeting there was discussion over a program called Wreaths Across America, improving the city burn pile to improve our safety, our closed down golf course & rezoning, the local Smoke on the Water event coming up, approval over finance reports, approval of accounts payable reports, and our city’s water supply and shortages, among many other pressing issues. There was lots of stress on protecting the cities' financial stability with improvements and grants. During this council meeting the topics that had stood out most to me personally were the discussions of the closed-down golf course. There has been major controversy in our community over this golf course, and people feel very strongly of it being reopened or rezoned. The other issue that I found important was the topic of our water. We get regular boil water notices due to water lines being worked on in Runaway Bay, and the discussion over improvement of this topic was very comforting, and the topic of grants helping to fix the infrastructure our small town was reassuring. This entire experience was extremely overwhelming in the best way possible. Getting to meet with Judge Green, Mayor White, and additional employees was probably the most exciting experience out of this entire semester. The amount of educational information I gained by reaching out was very helpful. I learned so much about Runaway Bay, the way our city functions, and the strong and welcoming community that has been built. I am not a very extroverted person so going to a personal meeting was eye opening and informational. Overall, this discussion has been one of my favorite discussion posts this semester and I am proud to be a resident of my small city, Runaway Bay.                                                  ___________________________________   Haylee’s willingness to step outside her comfort zone, meet with city leaders, and learn firsthand how local government works represents the kind of community spirit we are thankful for this holiday season.   We hope her example encourages other residents to be just as curious, engaged, and adventurous. Your city doors are always open.   From all of us at City Hall, Happy Thanksgiving, Runaway Bay! 🧡🦃